Dolphin Research Center (DRC), located in Grassy Key, Florida, has reported a record number of manatee rescues in the Florida Keys by May 2025, surpassing the total rescues conducted in all of 2024. The organization is the only licensed manatee rescue team operating in the region.
The DRC Manatee Rescue Team works closely with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and operates under the medical supervision of Dr. Scott Gearhart, DRC’s in-house veterinarian. The team responds to reports of manatees in distress, providing assessment and transport for injured or sick animals to licensed rehabilitation facilities until they are ready for release back into their natural habitat.
Preston Surrage, who serves on the Manatee Rescue Team and Environmental Services at DRC, described his experience: “Every rescue matters, because every manatee matters. I’ve stood in the water with manatees barely moving, helped carry them into transport vehicles, and waited in the shallows during releases to see them swim free again. Those moments stay with you forever and remind you why we do this.”
Local community involvement has played a significant role in supporting these efforts. Residents have contributed resources such as boats, kayaks, private ramps, as well as basic supplies like sunscreen and water. Many also monitor distressed manatees until professional rescuers arrive.
Surrage noted the importance of this collective effort: “This is what makes the Keys so special. It’s a community that comes together—not just for people, but for animals too. Every act of kindness makes a real difference.”
As a nonprofit organization founded in 1984, Dolphin Research Center relies on donations, memberships, and visitor support to maintain its rescue operations and broader conservation mission. More information about supporting their work can be found at www.dolphins.org.
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